As you get older body parts start to wear down and wear out. Things you used to do without thinking now take effort. If you have noticed your spouse having trouble hearing the television or repeatedly asking you what you just said, you are probably suspicious that he can't hear as well as he used to. He might strongly deny it, but you know you have a husband hard of hearing.
Getting your spouse to make an appointment with an audiologist can seem next to impossible. It's important that you find a way though, even if it means making the appointment yourself, driving him there, and sitting in the waiting room with him. If your suspicions are confirmed, and there is a problem, the next step is deciding what to do about it.
The audiologist will sit down with both of you and explain exactly what the issues are, how much loss there is, and what your spouse can expect going forward. The doctor may recommend hearing aids or cochlear implants as the best course of action. It's not a life threatening situation however, and your spouse has time to decide how he wants to handle it.
Now that you know exactly what the problem is, there are ways you can help your spouse. When talking to him, face him and look him in the eye. If he is standing with his back to you, you can reach out and touch his back or shoulder to let him know you're behind him. Background noises interfere with conversation. Instead of trying to talk over the television, turn it off or down. Yelling is counterproductive. Exaggerated enunciation is insulting.
When you're in public places where you can't avoid background noise, it's okay to point or gesture in some way to make yourself understood. Don't cover your mouth, smoke, or chew when you are talking. Communication can be frustrating, especially in the beginning, but you have to be patient. It's not his fault he can't hear. If both of you can find ways to laugh about it, so much the better.
You shouldn't feel like you're the only one who has to make all the accommodations. Your husband will have to adjust to the situation as well. It will be helpful if he lets you know whenever you are doing something that confuses him. He will have to confront public situations. Figuring out the best way to do it is his responsibility. At last, your husband will have to listen carefully when you talk.
You shouldn't wait for an emergency to happen to make a plan. You and your partner can go shopping for special devices that will flash or vibrate to alert him to an unusual situation. You can choose from auditory, visual, and tactile devices.
Hearing loss is not fatal. It is inconvenient, and it has to be addressed. There are simple ways you can both accommodate the situation to make it less stressful. Communication, patience, perspective, and humor are good first steps.
Getting your spouse to make an appointment with an audiologist can seem next to impossible. It's important that you find a way though, even if it means making the appointment yourself, driving him there, and sitting in the waiting room with him. If your suspicions are confirmed, and there is a problem, the next step is deciding what to do about it.
The audiologist will sit down with both of you and explain exactly what the issues are, how much loss there is, and what your spouse can expect going forward. The doctor may recommend hearing aids or cochlear implants as the best course of action. It's not a life threatening situation however, and your spouse has time to decide how he wants to handle it.
Now that you know exactly what the problem is, there are ways you can help your spouse. When talking to him, face him and look him in the eye. If he is standing with his back to you, you can reach out and touch his back or shoulder to let him know you're behind him. Background noises interfere with conversation. Instead of trying to talk over the television, turn it off or down. Yelling is counterproductive. Exaggerated enunciation is insulting.
When you're in public places where you can't avoid background noise, it's okay to point or gesture in some way to make yourself understood. Don't cover your mouth, smoke, or chew when you are talking. Communication can be frustrating, especially in the beginning, but you have to be patient. It's not his fault he can't hear. If both of you can find ways to laugh about it, so much the better.
You shouldn't feel like you're the only one who has to make all the accommodations. Your husband will have to adjust to the situation as well. It will be helpful if he lets you know whenever you are doing something that confuses him. He will have to confront public situations. Figuring out the best way to do it is his responsibility. At last, your husband will have to listen carefully when you talk.
You shouldn't wait for an emergency to happen to make a plan. You and your partner can go shopping for special devices that will flash or vibrate to alert him to an unusual situation. You can choose from auditory, visual, and tactile devices.
Hearing loss is not fatal. It is inconvenient, and it has to be addressed. There are simple ways you can both accommodate the situation to make it less stressful. Communication, patience, perspective, and humor are good first steps.
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